BARBARA ALLEN
As recorded by Shirley Collins on "Sweet England," Topic TSCD815, first released in 1959.

It was round and about last Martinmas time
When the green leaves were swellin'
That young Jimmie Grove of the West Country
Fell in love with Barb'ry Allen.

He sent his man into the town
To the place where she was dwellin'.
"O, will you come to my master dear
If your name be Barb'ry Allen?"

Then slowly, slowly got she up
And slowly came she nigh him
And all she said when there she came:
"Young man, I think you are dyin'."

"O yes, I'm sick; I'm very sick.
Indeed I think I'm dyin',
But a word from you would revive me again,
O lovely Barb'ry Allen."

"Do you recall, young man," she said,
"When the red wine you were spillin',
How you made the ladies' health go 'round
And you slighted Barb'ry Allen?"

And death is printed on his face
And o'er his heart is stealing
And again he cried as she left his side:
"Hard-hearted Barb'ry Allen!"

As she was a-goin' over the field,
She heard the death-bell tollin',
And every sound that death-bell gave:
"Hard-hearted Barb'ry Allen!"

"O mother, mother, make my bed.
O make it soft and narrow.
Since Jimmie died for me today,
I'll die for him tomorrow."